Airplane package transfer apparatus



July 22, 1941. R. L. COOPER AIRPLANE PACKAGE TRANSFER APPARATUS FiledMay 25, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Bqy L.C00per; $3432 R. 1.. COOPER2,250,153

Filed May 25, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 22, 1941.

AIRPLANE PACKAGE TRANSFER APPARATUS Patented July 22, 1941 AIRPLANEPACKAGE TRANSFER APPARATUS Roy L. Cooper, Eric, 11].

Application May 25, 1940, Serial No. 337,283

Claims.

The present invention relates to a catapult pick-up mechanism designedparticularly for use in connection with aircraft so that an aircraft maypick up any desired materials from the ground suchas air mail, gasoline,express and the like without the necessity of taking the time to landand take off, thus continuing in uninterrupted flight.

The prime object of the invention resides in the provision of means forraising and holding in position a flexible loop which may be engaged bya grapple hook of an aircraft mechanism which is so designed that anincoming package on an aircraft is automatically released and anelectrical circuit is energized by means of which a catapult is causedto be released at an advanced time interval so that the catapult has theproper amount of time in which to accelerate the package to be pickedup.

Another important object of this invention is the provision for means ofpredetermining the setting of the catapult and timing mechanism so thatany package up to maximum weight may be catapulted at the. proper speedto prevent unnecessary and undesirable jerk upon the airplane.

A further object of this invention resides in the arrangement of groundmechanism and in the mounting of the loop thereof so that when thegrapple of the aircraft device, contacts the loop there is nopossibility of the loop becoming entangled in any way.

A still further object of the invention resides iii the provision of anapparatus of this nature which is exceedingly simple to construct and tooperate, strong and durable, thoroughly eflicient, effective andreliable in operation and otherwise well adapted to the purpose forwhich it is designed.

A further object of this invention resides in an apparatus of thisnature which will automatically release a package or sack so that itwill fall upon a net provided for the purpose of absorbing shock andpreventing damage thereto.

A further important object of this invention resides in the provision ofa net which is so constructed that it will receive the package droppedwith no damage thereto.

A further object of this invention resides in the method of housing thecatapult mechanism beneath a slanting roof so that there is nopossibility of snagging the grapple or incoming bag when making apickup.

Further aims and advantages appear in connection with the followingdescription of the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in theaccompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in perspective and inside elevation of an airplane and its pickup device, and of the groundmechanism, and of the net for receiving the incoming packages and thelike.

Figure 2 is a view showing a vertical sectional view of the timingmechanism and of the catapult mechanism.

Figure 3 is fragmentary view of one cf the poles disclosing the specialcontact clip and one of the regular clips holding a portion of the loop.

Figure 4 is side elevation view of the special contact clip.

Figure 5 is an enlarged View of one of the clip members shown mounted onan elevating ropeand having the flexible loop position therein.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the grapple hook of the airplanemechanism.

Figure '7 is a side elevational view, parts broken away, showing windingdrum and associated parts. I

Figure 8 is a diagrammatical view timing mechanism and its electricalcircuit.

Referring to the drawings in detail I designates poles or uprightmembers which. are preferably set in concrete in the ground. The numeral2 refers to a flexible loop which is held in position by clip members 4,and the clip members 4 are secured to elevating ropes 5. There is anelevating rope secured to each of the poles I. Each elevating rope 5consists of a loop of rope mounted on a pulley 6 secured near the top ofeach pole l, and also adapted to be wound around a. crank pulley Imounted near the base of each pole l A special contact clip 8 is alsosecured to one of the elevating ropes 5 and adapted to engage theflexible loop 2. White light 9 are secured on the outside of each polenear the top thereof. A slanting metal housing In having an open frontportion 12 is adapted to protect the catapult mechanism It. The slantingshed have lights l6 mounted thereon. An airplane l8 of the usualcommercial construction now employed in air mail service is designatedin Figure 1. The

airplane I8 is shown with an opening 20. The

' airplane l8 has a reel member22 mounted therein which carries agrapple cable 24 having a grapple hook 26 secured to its lower end. Anet 28 supported upon posts 30 is located approximately feet in front ofthe catapultmechanism l4 so that it may be properly positioned toreceive the incoming package 3|.

In Figure 2 is shown the catapult mechanism I4 in detail. The catapultmechanism is mounted In a steel frame structur 32. The package carriageof the catapult is designated 34, and has a package 35 therein. Thepackage carriage 34 has vertical guides 36 secured to the front and rearportion of the bottom thereof. The vertical guides 36 of the packagecarriage 34 are attached to a shoe member 38 located beneath a doubletrack 48 upon which the package carriage 34 is adapted to move oroperate.

An elastic connecting means 42 is attached to the front of the packagecarriage 34 and is connected at the other end to a steel cable 44. Thesteel cable is mounted around a spool member 46, and the steel cableterminates by being secured to a, Windlass drum 48. A spring means orshock absorber 58 for stopping the forward movement of the catapultcarriage 34, is interposed just behind the location where the flexibleconnecting means 42 and the steel cable 44 are secured together. TheWindlass drum 48 has a rotatable tooth member which is adapted to beengaged by a pinion The pinion 5| is adapted to be operated by a crank52. A pawl 54 is adapted to engage the pinion 5i. The Windlass drum 48and pinion 58 are secured to framework 56, and this framework 56 isslidably mounted upon a base member 58. The'base member 58 has twoapertures or slots 68 for receiving pin member means 62 of theframe-work 56. A spring scales 64 for registering tension calibrated interms of package load is connected to the frame-work 56 carrying theWindlass drum 48, and is also connected to the steel frame 32. Thepackage carriage 34 of the catapult I4 has a rigid catch 66 secured toits rear end and the upper end of a pivoted lever 68 is adapted toengage the catch 66 on the package carriage 34. A pivotal catch I8 ismounted on the steel frame member 32, and the lower end of the pivotedlever 68 is adapted to engage the pivotal catch 78. The pivoted lever 68has a spring I2 for aiding inreturning it to normal position and also toserve as an anchoring means therefor. The pivotal catch 18 also has aspring I4 for returning it to normal position. An electrical magnet isdesignated 16 and is shown located in the rear of the steel frame 32.

In Figure 3 is shown the upper portion of one of the upright members Ihaving a light direction signal 9 mounted thereon. It also shows aportion of the loop 2 in operative position with a clip 4 and specialcontact clip 8 thereon, and showing the clips 4 and 8 secured to theelevating rope 5. Electrical conductors I8 and 88 are shown attached tothe special contact clip 8.

Figure 4 shows the special contact clip on an enlarged scale. Theflexible cable 2 is shown mounted in notches 82 in the ends of the cliparms. When the flexible cable 2 is mounted therein, the contacts 88 and88 are out of contact. The spring 84 will pull the contacts 88 and 88into engagement when the flexible cord loop 2 is pulled out of thespecial contact clip 8.

Figure 6 shows on an enlarged scale the grapple hook 26. The grapplehook 28 has extending arms 92-. The hook also comprises a hollowcylindrical body portion 84. A streamlined shield 88 is secured to theupper portion of the cylindrical body portion 84 of the r pple hook 24.The upper end of the streamlined shield 86 has an aperture 88 throughwhich extends the lower end of the grapple cable 24. The grapple cable24 has a loop I88 on its lower er ends and they form an aperture to holdthe end which is housed in the streamlined shell 96. The loop I88 of thegrapple cable 24 is secured to an eye member I82 of shaft I 84. Theshaft I84 has a spring member I86 spaced about it and at the upper endof the shaft I84.

is a female nut I88 which threads into the upper end of the cylindricalbody 84. A series of washers II8 are spaced between the female nut I88and the spring I86 so that different degrees of tension can be had onthe said spring. The lower end of the shaft I84 extends through thelower end of the cylindrical body 94 of the grapple hook 26. A pair ofclutch arms II2 are pivoted to the said arms 82 of the grapple hook 26.Each of the clutch arms II2 has a slot H4, and a pin II6 mounted on thelower end of the shaft I84 is adapted to ride in said slots of theclutch arms. The clutch arms have notches H8 in their lowring of a mailbag which is to be discharged from the incoming airplane. A collar IIIis secured to the shaft I84 in the lower end of the cylindrical bodyportion 94 of the grapple hook 26, and spring means I86 is secured tothe collar III. The spring means I86 assists the clutch jaws H2 inholding the incoming package 3| until sufficient force to overcome thetension of spring I86 is transmitted to the clutch jaws NZ to releasethe incoming package.

In Figure 8 is shown a diagrammatical view of the special contact clip 8spaced on the flexible loop member 2, and the contact members 88 and 98being out of contact. This figure also shows the electrical conductorsI8 and 88 connected with electrical magnet means I6, and

the pivoted lever 68 shown in engagement with 16. A battery I28 isshown, and also a manual switch I2I which is located at the rear of theshed I8. The switch I2I is adapted to be opened while the catapultmechanism I4 is being set for propelling a package.

In disclosing the pertinent features connect-v ed with the constructionand operation of my improved apparatus for picking up objects by anairplane in motion from a stationary point, certain factors relative tofeasibility, safety and practicability must be observed. For safe andfeasible operation of an airplane close to the ound with the expressintention to continue in flight when carrying a relatively full load, aspeed of not much less than one hundred miles per hour must bemaintained. The practicability of my machine not only resides in thefact that the mechanism actually operates successfully but that it isconstructed to meet this rigid requisite of safe flying speed and at thesame time allow. the versatile pickup of small or comparatively largepackages with the same apparatus. Since the speed of one hundred milesper hour represents approximately one hundred and fifty feet per second,it can at once be seen that -for satisfactory and feasible operation,the cataper second, the ultimate momentum of the object will be 150x100or 15,000 foot pounds. If the weight of 100 pounds is to acquire thismomentum practically instantaneously, the required push of the catapultwould be terrific. If the element of time is extended the object willtravel a correspondingly greater distance during its acceleration butthe required energy will be correspondingly less. By actual calculation,provided a definite time element is es tablished during which theprocess of acceleration may take place, the catapult may be designed onsound calculations to meet the desired requirements. I have found thatin actual operation, using poles of .adequate height and placed at adistance apart entirely feasible to meet the requirements of pickup workthat the loop 2 indicated-.91 my apparatus is straightened out to fulllength where all slack is taken up in a period which represents of asecond of time when theairplane is traveling 100 miles per hour. Withthese pertinent facts, I have constructed a catapult which is capable ofmeeting all requirements up to a load of 100 pounds, the requiredacceleration of which can be accomplished within the required time of ofa second.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The weight of the object35 which is to be picked up is determined by weighing upon a scales (notshown) which is located near the catapult. The crank pulleys I areoperated so that the eleple hook 26, it is jerked from the holding clips4, and from the special contact clip 8. As soon as the flexible loop 2is jerked from the special contact clip 8, the spring 84 of the specialcontact clip will pull the arms thereof together and the contact points88, and 96 will meet and complete the circuit to the electrical magnet16 and this will actuate the lever or catch 10 and then the pivotedlever 66 is released from the catch 66 on the package carriage 34, andthe carriage 34 is then pulled forward by the tension on the cables 42and 44. During the period of a fraction of a second, as indicated inthis setup to be vating ropes 5 carry the clips 4 down within I reach ofa person. Then the flexible pickup loop 2 is placed in the clips 4, andin the special contact clip 8, according to marks on the flexible loop2. The flexible loop 2 with the clips attached thereto is drawn up inoperative position by the operation of the hand pulleys I, as shown inFigure 1. Now snap or fasten the bag 35 on the end of the loop 2extending into the housing I0, and place the bag on the carrier 34within the housing l0. Set the pivoted lever 68 to engage the catch 66on the rear of the package carrier 34, and alsoset the lever or catch 10to engage the other end of the pivoted lever 68. Turn the handle 52 sothat the pinion 5| will engage the toothed member of the Windlass drumso that the Windlass drum is cranked so that the proper tension isestablished through the metal cable 44 and the flexible connector 42 onthe package carrier 34, as will be ascertained on the dial of the.spring scales 64, the said tension being proper for the load which'hasbeen weighed and placed in the package carrier 34. The tension istransferred from the frame-work 56 of the Windlass drum 48 to the scales64, because the frame-work 56 is adjustably mounted on the base member58. If it is dark and added lights are needed, then the lights 9 and I6are turned on.

When the airplane I8 is approaching for a pickup and also dropping of aload, the operator in the plane will snap the sack 3| to be dropped,into the apertures H8 in the clutch jaws N2 of the grapple hook 26 andlower it through the opening 20 in the airplane l8 to acertain distancewhich is practical for contacting the flexible loop 2 while flying at asafe altitude above the poles I. Then the following occurs practicallyinstantaneously; when the grapple hook 26 strikes the upper horizontalportion of the flexible pickup loop 2, the loop slides down to rest uponone or both of the grapple arms 62. At the instant the loop 2 is struckby the grapof a second, the airplane [8 travels forward 50 feet, theslack is taken out of the flexible loop 2, or in other words the loop isnow drawn taut by the forward motion of the airplane, the package 35'hasbeen accelerated or pulled forward by the cable 44 and the flexibleconnector 42 and is emerging from beneath the shed l0 and at the instantwhen the slack is taken up, the jerk of the bag 35 is sufficient on thearms 92 of the grapple hook 26 to overcome the pull of spring I06 on theclutch jaws H2 and thus open the clutch jaws and release the incomingpackage 3| so as to fall and land upon the net 28.

I have entered into the description of construction and relativearrangement of parts and also into, somewhat limiting discussion of thetime element to set forth a sound foundation of feasibility, but I donot desire to lie-understood however as confining myself to the specificconstruction and relative arrangements of parts as set forth thereininasmuch as the future practice in the use of the invention may requirevarious modifications which may fall within the scope of my inventionand appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is newis:

1. Apparatus for transferring articles to a moving airplane, comprisinga cable having a grapplev hook secured thereto suspended from theairplane, a pair of rigid supports stationary with respect to theground, a flexible loop suspended from said rigid supports, said loophaving-means for securing an outgoing article thereto, a catapultmechanism for propelling the outgoing article, said catapult mechanismpositioned to receive the outgoing article secured to the loop, latchmeans for holding the catapult mechanism in retracted position,electrical means for releasing the latch means including a switch means,and means suspended from the rigid supports and including a portion ofthe loop for closing the switch means whereby the pull of the cable orhook on the said loop closes said switch means thereby releasing thecatapult mechanism for throwing the outgoing article in the direction ofthe line of flight of the airplane.

2. Apparatus for transferring articles to a moving airplane, comprisinga cable having a grappie hook secured thereto suspended from theairplane, a pair of rigid support-s stationary with respect to theground, a flexible loop suspended by when the grapple hook or cableengages the loop the contacts are closed thereby releasing the catapultmechanism for throwing the outgoing article in the direction of the lineof flight of the airplane.

3. Apparatus for transferring articles to a moving airplane, comprisinga cable having a grapple hook secured thereto suspended from theairplane, a pair of rigid supports stationary with respect to theground, raising and lowering means mounted on said rigid supports, a.flexible loop suspended from said raising and lowering means mounted onthe rigid supports, said loop having means for securing an outgoingarticle thereto, a catapult mechanism for propelling the outgoingarticle, said catapult mechanism positioned to receive the outgoingarticle secured to the loop, latch means for holding the catapultmechanism in retracted position, electrical means for releasing thelatch means including a switch means secured to the raising and loweringmeans, and means suspended from the raising and lowering means mountedon the rigid supports and including a portion of the loop forclosing theswitch means whereby the pull of the cable or hook on the said loopcloses said switch means thereby releasing the, catapult mechanism forthrowing the outgoing'article in the direction of I the line of flightof the airplane.

pelling the outgoing article, said catapult mechanism positioned toreceive the outgoing article secured to the loop, latch means forholding thecatapult mechanism in retracted position, electrical meansfor releasing the latch means including a pair of contacts normallybiased to closed position, said loop spacing the contacts apart wherebywhen the grapple hook or cable engages the loop the contacts are closedthereby releasing the catapult mechanism for throwing the outgoingarticle in the direction of the line of flight of the airplane, and whenthe grapple hook has assumed the load of the outgoing article theincoming article is released from the release connection of the grapplehook.

5. Apparatus for transferring articles to a moving airplane, comprisinga cable having a grapple hook secured thereto suspended from theairplane, a pair of rigid supports stationary with respect to theground, a flexible loop suspended from said rigid supports, saidflexible loop having means for securing an outgoing article thereto, acatapult mechanism including an adjustable tensioning mechanism and anindicator for properly propelling the outgoing article,said catapultmechanism positioned to receive the outgoing article secured to theloop, latch means for holding the catapult mechanism in retractedposition, electrical means for releasing the latch means including apair of contacts normally biased to closed position, said loop memberspacing the contacts apart whereby when the grappie or cable engages theloop the contacts are closed thereby releasing the catapult mechanismfor throwing the outgoing article in the direction of the line of flightof the airplane.

ROY L. COOPER.

